'SUP opens in Urmston after Brexit, Covid and Suez 'storm'

John Locke, who moved to Urmston in 2020, thought he was 'out of the game' when he left The Two Tubs – a pub in Bury – at the start of the first lockdown.

Once a DJ at venues across the UK and a manager at The Comedy Store in Manchester, he has also run several other pubs in the north west over the decades.

These included The Commercial in Chester and The Northern in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Into his late 50s, John expected a life of leisure with his stand-up comedian roommate and English Bull Terrier, Rassie.

It all changed when he saw an empty site on Urmston's Flixton Road.

"The site was calling to me," he said. "I tried to ignore its siren call."

His partner Theresa also offered discouragement.

But one viewing was all it took to get back into the game once more.

"The fates forced me in this direction," he added.

'SUP on Flixton Road in Urmston.

The outcome of John's lack of willpower, 'SUP, is opening tomorrow.

He said the name – like a lot of things – was inspired by a conversation with the dog.

A 'chameleon', according to John, 'SUP contains a modern cafe on the ground floor, plus a first floor drawing room named after father of the NHS, Nye Bevan.

The building is eclectic, and almost all the furniture inside is recycled.

As well as food and drink, 'SUP is offering comedy nights, DJ nights and interview nights, some with well-known names from John's career in entertainment.

Plans for additions including a cocktail bar and a roof terrace are also in the pipeline.

John's experience has helped to get 'SUP to the point of opening, but he said it is still one of, if not his toughest venture.

Brexit, Covid and even the blockage of the Suez Canal formed a 'perfect storm', forcing him to think outside the box to get it up and running, and to fill it with workers.

But now opening day is upon him, he is full of optimism for the future.

He said: "This is my pension. It's got to work.

"It's going to work," he clarified.